Awakened by Adversity – Pt 4
All scriptures are from the New Living Translation.
Job 3:20-23
20 “Oh, why give light to those in misery,
and life to those who are bitter?
21 They long for death, and it won’t come.
They search for death more eagerly than for hidden treasure.
22 They’re filled with joy when they finally die,
and rejoice when they find the grave.
23 Why is life given to those with no future,
those God has surrounded with difficulties?
Job 7:17-20
17 “What are people, that you should make so much of us,
that you should think of us so often?
18 For you examine us every morning
and test us every moment.
19 Why won’t you leave me alone,
at least long enough for me to swallow!
20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you,
O watcher of all humanity?
Why make me your target?
Am I a burden to you?[
Job 13:23-24
23 Tell me, what have I done wrong?
Show me my rebellion and my sin.
24 Why do you turn away from me?
Why do you treat me as your enemy?
Job 21:7-21
7 “Why do the wicked prosper,
growing old and powerful?
8 They live to see their children grow up and settle down,
and they enjoy their grandchildren.
9 Their homes are safe from every fear,
and God does not punish them.
10 Their bulls never fail to breed.
Their cows bear calves and never miscarry.
11 They let their children frisk about like lambs.
Their little ones skip and dance.
12 They sing with tambourine and harp.
They celebrate to the sound of the flute.
13 They spend their days in prosperity,
then go down to the grave in peace.
14 And yet they say to God, ‘Go away.
We want no part of you and your ways.
15 Who is the Almighty, and why should we obey him?
What good will it do us to pray?’
16 (They think their prosperity is of their own doing,
but I will have nothing to do with that kind of thinking.)
17 “Yet the light of the wicked never seems to be extinguished.
Do they ever have trouble?
Does God distribute sorrows to them in anger?
18 Are they driven before the wind like straw?
Are they carried away by the storm like chaff?
Not at all!
19 “‘Well,’ you say, ‘at least God will punish their children!’
But I say he should punish the ones who sin,
so that they understand his judgment.
20 Let them see their destruction with their own eyes.
Let them drink deeply of the anger of the Almighty.
21 For they will not care what happens to their family
after they are dead.
Job 28:12-13
12 “But do people know where to find wisdom?
Where can they find understanding?
13 No one knows where to find it,
for it is not found among the living.
Job 30:20-26
20 “I cry to you, O God, but you don’t answer.
I stand before you, but you don’t even look.
21 You have become cruel toward me.
You use your power to persecute me.
22 You throw me into the whirlwind
and destroy me in the storm.
23 And I know you are sending me to my death—
the destination of all who live.
24 “Surely no one would turn against the needy
when they cry for help in their trouble.
25 Did I not weep for those in trouble?
Was I not deeply grieved for the needy?
26 So I looked for good, but evil came instead.
I waited for the light, but darkness fell.
Job 31:35-37
35 “If only someone would listen to me!
Look, I will sign my name to my defense.
Let the Almighty answer me.
Let my accuser write out the charges against me.
36 I would face the accusation proudly.
I would wear it like a crown.
37 For I would tell him exactly what I have done.
I would come before him like a prince.
Job 36:15
15 But by means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer.
For he gets their attention through adversity.
Job 37:23-24
23 We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty;
but even though he is just and righteous,
he does not destroy us.
24 No wonder people everywhere fear him.
All who are wise show him reverence.
James 5:10-11
10 For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.
1. Answered questions can lead to unexpected growth.
2. Job’s questions exposed his misunderstandings of God.
— God is unjust for not defending the innocent.
— God is unloving for ignoring pleas for help.
— God is cruel for hiding wisdom.
3. Humility in adversity leads to spiritual transformation.
Prayer: Instead of praying, “God, change this!” Pray, “God, change me through this.”
SMALL GROUP MEETING OUTLINE
Where your faith intersects with real life!
Reconnect:
Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.
Explore:
Review the message notes.
Big Idea: Adversity exposes our misunderstanding of God.
Consider:
Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.
▶ Read Job 8:1-4. Bildad jumped in with a solution for Job when he didn’t know the answers or the reasons for Job’s adversity. Was there a time when you found yourself showing up to “save the day”? How can we best walk with family and friends who are walking through adversity?
▶ Elizabeth Elliot is famous for her quote, “Never pass up an opportunity to keep your mouth shut.” Why do we give unsolicited (uninvited) advice? How can we get better at praying for our family and friends AND keeping our mouths shut?
▶ Walking through adversity with humility, which is reverence for God, opens the door for deep spiritual transformation. When you have walked through adversity, how have you been changed?
▶ Adversity will try to discourage you. Adversity will try to tell you that you’re not doing something right, but the Lord would say that this adversity is preparing you for greater works. Share a time when the Lord used adversity to prepare you for a greater work.
Activate:
Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share with the Group.
How can I best lean into Jesus when I experience adversity?
Prayer:
Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.
Pray for wisdom and direction for your greater work.